Filling-machine



' A. V. FULLER.

FILLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man MAR.16, 1920.

1.393.976. muted @GA u, w21.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. V-. FULLER.

FILLING MACHINE.

' l APPLICATION HLD MAR. 1s. |920.

yy, Patented 0011;. III, ILQIZL A. v. FULLER.` FILLING MACHINE.

`APPLICATICIII FILED MAR. I6, 1920.

. muted ont. II, Im..

I. I I.. la,

` -lllll AUBREY V.' FULLER, or new vonk, n. te.

matins-niermann.

essere To all whom it mag/concern.' i ,j t

j Be it known thatl, UBREY. FULLER, a citizenof the United States, and a resident of the city of'New `York, county andtate of `New York, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in "Filling-Ma of course, lthat my in'vcntionfis not limited j i of the tray.` j 411i chines, of which the following isa specifica tion.A i' A' My invention relatesA to filling machines, and an object thereof 1s to providelineans for cheaply and expeditiously. placing in bottles` or other receptacles, measured `quanti` ties of liquids. j j

`Another object `of the invention is to proyide la machine of `,this character which` will measure with extreme accuracy `the amount of liquid `placed in the receptacles, the measurement being independent of the receptacles themselves.

This accuracy of measurement,l together" with the `fact that the machine operates under aseptic conditions, renders 1t peculiarly adapted to use in the packaging of biological, pharmaceutical, medicinal, andlike liquids; although it will be understood,

thereto. y j j i 'lvhenventionconsists of, novel features andl parts, and combinations of the. same, as hereinafter `described and claimed.`

Reference is ,to be had, to vthe accompany* ing drawings, forming part of this specifi cation, in which similar` reference numerals refer to corresponding parts` in all` the gures f `In the drawings j i Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end ,elevationof the same as viewed from the left of Fig. 1. n" ,j

Fig. 31 isa detail view more clearly show-A ing the starting,` and,` stopping" device, and also the mechanism for arresting the motion Fig. 4 is a bottom view ofthe tray,and`

Fig. 5 is an endview thereof. Referring to the drawings indetail, the'in` vention consists ,of a base 1, a. frame 2, on

which frame is superposed a top 3, upon which is mounted an electric motor d, that furnishes power for` the operation of the entire machine.

The motor operates a conventional reducj tion gear 5 by meansof a belt 5,"which" gear 5 drives the friction Vdisk 12', of the. friction Y Specification of Letters Patent. application ianarch 1c,- 192o.9 serial nb.

"durch, ma also when easy means er sprocket 12and belt 25 res ecivel When friction `disk 12 p U y i friction disk l2 to revolve by virtue ofthe turns, it causes frictionproduced by the tension of the helical spring 15, this tension being adjustable for `various loads by a knurled nut 16, and disk 12 1s keyed to and operates a suitably `journaled shaft .11. Keyed to the shaft 1.1

are,` the j sprocket wheels 10.` Passing over the'sprocket wheels 10 areendless chains 9 which also passover the suitably mounted Adriven sprocket wheels 10. As disk 12 revolves `in a` counter clockwise direction theuppenrun ofthe chains 9 isicaused `to travel from rightto left 'inlP ig. 1.

`The endless chains 9 are provided at regular and predetermined intervals with inwardly projecting lugs 13, which engage the pullers 14 carried by base member.

The chains thus impart motion to the base 6 upon which rests the tray 6 containing the receptacles intended to be filled. The base is made separate from the tray for reasons of economy, inasmuch as several bases will serve for a large number of trays. The base is provided with dowel Vpins 62, `which fit into holes 62 in the trayfvand thus insure i the .correctplacing of the tray on the base and -also prevent itsy displacement. 1 |This base 6 vrests upona track 7 and is equipped with the above mentioned pullers 1d, which are j engaged by the lugs 13. Track 7 is mounted on vertically adjustable supports ,8 and the gage of the track is also adjustable by means of pillars (a) which are capable of being. adjusted l laterally in suitable Yslots with which the cross bars (t) are provided.

Secured to the under. partv of the base 6 is a toothed rack'61, the pitch of which cori responds with the longitudinal spacing of j the rows of receptacles in the tray.` The tray 6 may be 'made of any suitable material .and is constructed so `that the receptacles shall bev disposed laterally in rows, with a distance between 'the centers that corresponds with the spacing ofthe nozzles 43,

which deliver the liquid into the' receptacles. lt is obvious that a universal ,tray 'or trays havingholes of different sizesrnay be used.

As the tray` and base are caused to move `from right to leftalong the track as de scribedabove, the rst tooth of the track 61 is engaged by the detent 17and its motion `is arrested temporarily, the friction disk 12 thereupon slipping, ywhile the receptacles in thev tray are being illed as hereinafter i e through` a longitudinal slot 75, and is en- '-gaged by a pin .18 mounted near the pcriphery of the wheel 19. This wheel 19 is keyed to the suitably'journaled shaft 20,

which is caused to revolve vin the 'direction' indicated bythe arrow 25a by means of the sprocket 21, whichris driven by means oi the chain? 22 and the sprocket 23, `said sprocketr 23 being keyed 'to the power shaft 24. c

When the trip 75 is lreleased from contact with. the pin 18, the 4detent 17 is returned to its normal position by the helical spring 65, andl is in position to Vengage the neXt succeeding tooth of the rack. This operation is repeated'as-many times as there are teeth in the rack and as the entire machine continues in-operation.

The fillingv liquidA is conveyed to the nozzles 43 for delivery to the receptacles by means-of a pump 34, of the conventional plunger type,.suitably Vmounted on the upright member 41' constituting apart of the Yframe 2.A The-pump 34 comprises a barrel e 34a, afstuiiing box V33, a plunger 26, and

checkvalves 35and 36. The drain cocks 37 land* 38 are''pro'vided for the Yremoval of ,residualliquid n To the lower end of the pump is attached a suction tube 39, which is f' ger v26 'from the gear 5 by means of belt 25 and the connecting rod 27, which is attached to. the plunger 26 by a knuckle joint 2S.

The connecting rod 27 is attached` to the power wheel 25 in such a manner that when the wheel25 revolves the reciprocating mo- KVe0 tion. is imparted to the plunger. The reciprocating motion of the plunger', acting in conjunction withthe check valves 35 and 36, forces the iilling liquid from the reservoir 40 through the flexible connection 41 to the nozzles43, anddischa'rges the same inter Vrnittently therefrom' into the receptacles.

The volume Yor' liquid discharged into the receptacles on'the downward stroke of the plunger 26 is varied by altering the length ofV said stroke, the same being accomplished by the radial adjustment of the upper end of the connecting rod with respect to its The detent 17 Yis heldin a sleeve driving wheel 25. This adjustment is accomplished through the agency of a T slot 30, bolt 29, and lock nut 29. A calibrated scale 32 and index 31 permit the setting of the pump for the delivery into the receptacles of measured and predetermined volumes vof the filling liquid. The multiple nozzle unit 42 which serves to distribute the fi1ling liquid to the several receptacles is secured to the upright member 41 and is adjustable vertically, longitudinally, and laterally, by means of suitable clamps 46, 47, and 48, thus permitting of the centering of the nozzles 43 over the receptacles. The nozzle unit 42 comprises a common feed pipe 42, downwardly projecting outlets or nozzles 43, and the needle valves 44, the function of which is to permit of an initial adjustment to secure the delivery or' an equal volume of liquid from each nozzle. This adjustment is of importance because of inaccuracy in machining, the nozzles are never identical and hence where refined measuring is required some means of compensating for this inaccuracy must be provided. Once set, these valves 44 are held in position by means of lock nuts 68.

In order to insure against the operation of the machine when no receptacles are in position to receive filling liquid, an automatic starting and stopping device is provided. This device 60 is an automatic electrical switch, and is inserted in the motor circuit by means of wires W. 1t is supported by a vertically adjustable standard 60. The stopping device consists of a metallic cylinder 59, suitably chambered to accommodate the contact rod 51, the helical spring 57, and switch member 52. A lat bar, or shoe, 50, is secured to the upper end of the Contact rod 51, the right hand end 50 (Fig. 3) of which is bent down at a suitable angle. This shoe 50 is retained in a position parallel to the direction of motion of the tra-y 6 by means of a key 5S which moves in a keyway in the cap 59 of the cylinder 59.

The rod 51 is normally held raised and out of contact with the switch member 52 by means of a helical spring 57, which lifts against a pin 69. The switch member 52 is directly connected with the post 53, the latter being insulated from the cylinder 59 by any suitable dielectric 56. It is thus evident that electrical connection is established between the binding posts 53 and 54 only when the rod 51 is depressed by the weight of the tray 6, and that upon removal of the depressing force the motor circuit will be broken and the machine will thereupon cease to operate. A short circuiting switch S is provided in order that the machine may, when desired, be operated when a tray is not in position, or in other words, when the contact rod 51 is not depressed.

La condition is indicated in Fig. 3.

A `:the receptacles, the clutchc1'2 and `1-2 in the The` reservoir the `filling liquid is placedfin positionwith the plunger `.26 at its lowest point, the lock vnut 295iS loosened and the plunger 26 raised slightly andthenwforced down by .hand until it, strilresthe cap 34. `oii'thexlower end of: the` barrel 3112201 the pump 34C. VIn this manner theair `present ,is displacedby the liquid.

The index 31 isset at the proper "scale division `aiidpower applied until the detent 17 hasbeen, tripped `andlis in position to" engage the firsttootli of thelraclr` 61. During this 15 1 i.. oi' course, closed.Y SwitchS is now opened 1 and the tray 6 and base 6 are placed on the operationtlie short` circulating switch S is,

tracksr7 withthe pullers 14: over a pair of the special links 13, and` the first tooth ofthe` rack 61 in contactwiththedetentf17. Such machine isV now'inI operation andthe following` cycle occurs:

*Theplunger 26 makes its down stroke and the desired volumefof liquid is delivered into meantime slipping.` The plunger tlienstarts on its` up or suctionwstroke `and at the proper point the, pin 18 actua-tes the trip 75, which releasesthe detent 17 romcontact with the `tooth of therack 61. `.The clutch 12,12

until all the receptacles in the tray have received vtheir charges. The tray 6 passes od the shoe `50, the circuit is broken, and the machine is stopped.

1t will be noted that if, as would usuall1 be the case in practice, a second tray ha been placed in position to be carried along i by the next pair of pulling links, this tray wouldreach a position on the shoe 50, where V its weight `becomes effective in depressing the rod 51, before the first tray had passed c on. In other words,;as long` as trays are fed and it will be realized that this is of the uti to the machine thesame will remain in operation, and will cease'only when no receptaclesare in position to receive their charges.

1t has been previously mentioned that this machine operates under aseptic conditions,

most importance inthe handling oi certain liquids. ln order `to prevent any contamination from the operation of the plunger 26, 1 combine a disiniecting agent with the lubricant for the packing of said plunger.

The entire machine may be disinfected by' merely applying asteam line to the suction' The y ;tubeff39 and operatingthe machine; or the `same result` may be accomplished by pump- `ing boiling waterthrough the machine.

Having fully described my invention,

what 1 claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters ,Patent is f 1511i a filling machine, the combination oft means for 4moving the receptaclesto be iilled, said means consisting of a conveyer, and a tray carried thereby, means for engaging the tray and arresting the movement thereof, and means for discharging measured quantities of a liquid into said receptacles. i

' 2. 1n a lling machine, thecoinbination of means for moving the receptacles to be filled, said means consisting of a tray and a conveyerior movingthesame, means for `engaging and .arresting said tray, said last named means including a spring pressed detent, and means ior discharging accurately measured quantities oi. a liquid into said re# ceptacles. 4.

3. Inra iilling machine, the combination `of means. for carrying receptacles, said means consisting of a base member, pullers attached to said base member, a conveyer,

said conveyer engaging 4said pullers andV therebylmoving said base member, means for `intermittently engaging and stopping said base member, and means for discharging a liquidinto the receptacles.

4l. 1n a filling machine, the combination` of means `itor carrying a "receptacle, said means consisting of a base member, a rack thereon, a conveyer for moving said base .member, a detent intermittently engaging said rack and therebyarresting the move- `ment of said base member, and means for `discharging a liquid into said receptacle.

5. 1n a lling machine, the combination oi' means for carrying a receptacle, said Vmeans consisting of a base member, a rack thereon, a conveyer for moving said base member, a detent for engaging said rack, means for disengaging said detent, and

means for discharging measured quantities l of a liquid.

6. 1n a iilling machine, the combination of means for carrying a receptacle, said means consisting of a base member, a rack attached to the bottom thereof, means for moving said base member, means for engaging said rack, means for disengaging said engaging means, and means for measuring and discharging aliquid, all of said means being operated from a common source of power.

7. 1n a iilling machine, the combination of a base member, a tray removably attached thereto, a rack on said base member, pullers attached to said base member, a conveyer engaging said pullers and moving said base member and tray, a detent intermittentlyengaging said rack and stopping said base operating in a cycle .and from a common source of power.V Y

8. In a illing machine, a receptacle carrying base, a conveyer for carrying said-base, an electric motor for driving said conveyer, atvertically slidable shoe engaged anddepressedV by said-base, thereby making anv electriccircuit to drive said motor.

K9. In a. )filling` machine, Vthe combinationV of'a conveyer lfor moving receptacles to-be filled, means `ier arresting said movement, means for measuring a liquid, a plurality 'of means .associated therewith 'for discharging the liquid, a motor operatively connected with both the conveyer and the measuring means, and means for rendering the machine operativewhen there is a load on the conveyer.

10. In a filling machine, the combination of an electric motor fork operating the machine, a conveyer for moving receptacles to be iilled,=means for arresting said movement, means for discharging 'measured quantities of a liquid, and means fork automatically rendering said machine inoperative when there is no load on said conveyer, and a'short circuiting switch for operating said machine under such conditions;V

ll. In a bottle filling machine, a receptacle carrying base, a conveyer for moving said base, an electric motor for operating the conveyer, a vertically reciprocable shoe in for carrying receptacles, a rack thereon, a

conveyer for moving said base member, an electric motor for operating the conveyer, a detent for engaging said rack, means for disengaging said detent, means for discharging a measured quantity of a li uid, a reci rocable shoe in the path of sai base mem r,

vand an electric switch adapted to be closed when the shoe is engaged and moved by said base member, whereby the motor circuit is closed.

13. In a filling machine, the combination of a base member for carrying receptacles, a rack thereon, a conveyer for moving said base member, an electric motor for operati the conveyer, a detent for engaging sai rac-k, means for disengaging said detent, means for discharging variable measured quantities of a liquid,`a reciprocable shoe in the path ofy said base member, an electric switch adapted to be closed when the shoe is engaged and moved by said base, whereby the motor circuit is closed, and a short circuiting switch whereby the machine may be operated when said first mentioned switch is open.

Signed this 8 day of March, 1920.

AUBREY V. FULLER. 

